DOHA: Taliban authorities on Monday said they would press the international community to lift economic sanctions imposed on Afghanistan as they attended a UN-hosted summit in Doha with special representatives to Afghanistan.
Zakir Jalaly, a senior official from the Taliban’s foreign ministry, stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the Taliban government delegation would focus on addressing “financial and banking sanctions” during the meetings held on Monday. This marks the first time the Taliban have engaged in such talks with special representatives to Afghanistan at a global platform.
The talks commenced following an opening statement by Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Taliban delegation, who questioned the fairness of ongoing sanctions against Afghanistan. Mujahid emphasized the decades-long conflict in the country, attributing it to foreign interventions and questioning whether current sanctions were justified.
“Afghans are asking why they are being ganged up on, on the basis of unilateral and multilateral sanctions,” Mujahid stated during his address to over 20 envoys and UN officials present at the summit.
The discussions are focused on enhancing international engagement with Afghanistan, a nation grappling with economic hardship and a fragmented political landscape since the Taliban’s resurgence to power. Despite assuming control, the Taliban government has yet to gain formal recognition from any foreign government.
Under Taliban rule, Afghanistan has witnessed a strict implementation of the law, particularly affecting women whose rights have been severely curtailed, drawing condemnation from global human rights organizations and international bodies.
The inclusion of the Taliban delegation in the talks, while excluding civil society and women’s rights groups, has sparked criticism and accusations of legitimizing Taliban policies by various organizations. Amnesty International’s chief, Agnes Callamard, expressed concerns over compromising fundamental rights and freedoms by accommodating Taliban demands for participation.
Mujahid assured diplomats of the Taliban’s commitment to engaging constructively with Western nations, highlighting the importance of mutual understanding and respect for cultural and religious values.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is keen on engaging constructively with Western nations as well,” Mujahid affirmed. “Like any sovereign state, we uphold certain religious and cultural values and public aspirations that must be acknowledged.”
